Billie Eilish nearly scrapped one of her biggest songs before it ever saw the light of day.
The 23-year-old singer-songwriter revealed that she almost left “Birds of a Feather” off her 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft, calling it “kind of stupid” during the recording process. The track, which has since become a global phenomenon with over 3 billion Spotify streams, almost didn’t make the final cut.
“Multiple times I was like, ‘We should cut this,’” Billie told the Wall Street Journal. “Even when I played the whole album for the label, I was like, ‘Guys, this one is kind of stupid.’”
Despite her doubts, “Birds of a Feather” went on to become one of Eilish’s biggest hits. The single reached number two on the Billboard 200, topped the Billboard Global 200 for three weeks, and earned her Grammy nominations for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Reflecting on her rise, Eilish admitted she was often told her melancholy style would never connect with a wide audience. “It’s so funny to think back on all of the criticisms that were like, ‘The songs are too sad,’” she said. “So many people and companies wanted us to make happier songs.”
When writing “Birds of a Feather,” she aimed to balance the sweetness of the melody with something darker. “We wrote about the idea that you’re going to die soon, and let’s make it last,” Eilish explained. “I wanted to make sure it wasn’t all rainbows and smiles.”
Earlier this year, Eilish opened up about her creative struggles, including a bout of writer’s block that left her feeling stuck. “It never is comfortable. You never get used to it,” she told CBS News. “It happens, and you’re like, ‘What the hell? I’m never gonna create again.’”
At the time, Eilish shared that she was already back in the studio working on her next project alongside her brother and longtime collaborator Finneas. “It’s just so much fun,” she said. “It’s not even serious. We’ve just been making music, and also crocheting a lot.”
